Very sheepishly came in...

Pusta Krishna das: We must thank Bhargava das, an ISKCON or BBT photographer, who took these photos in Johannesburg when Srila Prabhupada first received the 5th canto from Ramesvara in LA. He performed his job dutifully, and right after this, indeed during this episode, he was chastised by Srila Prabhupada for taking pictures of him all the time. Bhargava's feelings were hurt, even as Bhargava said he was simply taking these photos for the BBT, and Srila Prabhupada said, "I understand, but why are you always taking pictures of me?"

Bhargava left the ashrama in the mid-afternoon and we did not know where he went. We went driving around later that evening looking on the streets for him without success. Apparently, he walked about in a daze, and finally called the ashrama just after midnight. When he got back to the ashrama, Srila Prabhupada wanted to see him, and Bhargava very sheepishly came in. Srila Prabhupada in his own way said that he was simply uneasy always being photographed, obviously at that point of joy in his life when he received the first copies of the 5th canto.

Perhaps there are two things instructive here. First is that it was an austerity for Srila Prabhupada to be the center of attention. And, I have laid this out for my godbrothers and godsisters to digest for their own. From Bhargava's perspective, I deeply appreciate how difficult it is to be chastised by Srila Prabhupada. I know this personally, and it can take a long time to digest the experience, that time needed to allow one's humility to catch up with the relationship between guru and disciple.